Buddhist approach to cope with the difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Geshe G. Tharchin
We are all in the same boat, we are all victims of the current pandemic, alive or dead, sick or healthy, we all belong to one family in the global community, unless this pandemic is defeated. Right now we all feel very close to each other. We need to intensify solidarity among ourselves through prayer, meditation, material help and psychological and spiritual support, to feel sustained by the warmth of attention and love of unity in the global community. To tell the truth, I personally do not feel that I have a greater capacity than others, and support the psyche of others in the midst of this gigantic pandemic. I am sorry.At certain times, in Tibet there is a saying, "when heaven attacks the earth", nothing works anymore! neither miracles, nor magic, nor oracles, nor gurus, as we know. The only solution would be one's own wisdom, the true Dharma.
However, I would like to share a few thoughts about Impermanence because that is what some Dharma friends have asked me:
Impermanence could be divided into three levels: coarse level, subtle level, and very subtle level. The first is that death, caducity and transience of any material form can be perceived by five or six senses.
The impermanence of death is unfortunately unbelievable. Everyone has his mission on earth and once he has completed his mission he will go back to the Universe. When you disappear, you always leave great teachings of life to friends, loved ones and those close to you. All things are born out of the act of compassion, they live with the act of compassion and they conclude with the act of compassion. Naturally, every virtue and prayer dedicated to his peace and nirvana will help.
The second, the subtle level, is represented by that process of speed of change that has manifested itself on atoms and cells and can be observed through modern, highly sophisticated technology.
The third, the very subtle level is that impermanent nature of the reality of your consciousness, the union with your mind, which can be achieved within a Samadhi meditation.
Once we have developed the meditative state of the practice we begin the journey: "Observing death as a path to realize the Dharma Kaya (body of Wisdom) and observing the Bardo state as a path to realize the Sambhoka Kaya (body of infinite bliss) day and night", only then is it possible for a Dharma practitioner to feel or understand the true meaning of life. Then the nature of death, no longer unfamiliar or fearful, becomes part of the daily value of life and the event of physical death is transformed into a unique moment of celebration, and at this point the presence of the conventional and definitive Bodhicitta mind is fundamental, combined with the practice of Vajrayana Anuttara.
The practice of the great compassion "Tong Len" is also very effective for oneself and others at a critical moment.
